What is the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program ?
The Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5. The WIC Program works to protect them who are at risk for malnutrition. WIC is essential in preserving the health of its target population since homes with children are much more likely to experience food insecurity (20%) than households without children (11.9%). To protect low-income women, babies, and children living with, or at risk of developing, nutrition-related health issues, the program offers nourishing foods, nutrition and breastfeeding instruction, and healthcare access.
Goal of WIC Program
- WIC seeks to promote the health of young children under the age of five as well as pregnant and nursing women.
- to learn whether a youngster needs immunizations and advise the parents of this requirement.
- to fulfill the very minimum requirements for immunization screening and referral protocols, without substituting for the duties of the State Immunization Program.
- should put other steps into place in order to boost WIC kids' vaccination rates.
Key Facts of Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program
- Since 1974, pregnant women and new mothers have had access to food, food vouchers, nutritional support, and education under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
- WIC provides assistance to qualified pregnant, nursing, or postpartum mothers as well as infants and kids up to age five.
- WIC provides benefits to over 50% of babies born in the US.
- WIC participants have healthier infants, better nutrition, and higher rates of child immunization, according to numerous studies.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which also manages the school breakfast and lunch programs, administers the WIC program.
- For purchases made at any WIC retailer that accepts them, benefits are placed onto a WIC card. The card has all of the family's benefits put on it.
- WIC offers a monthly subsidy to purchase wholesome foods from recognized retailers.
- Milk, cheese, yoghurt, eggs, dry beans, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and baby foods are examples of healthy dietary options.
- Working families can take advantage of WIC's convenient hours, which include evenings, early mornings, and weekends.
- Height, weight, and hemoglobin levels are measured as part of the participants' health exams. Screening for lead is also offered.
- There are breastfeeding peer counsellors on hand. Manual or electric breast pumps can be obtained from WIC as needed.
- Children as young as three receive Fit WIC kits and materials to encourage daily physical activity.
How Does the WIC Nutrition Program Works ?
- Health screening
- Help getting other services
- Breastfeeding promotion and support
- Nutrition and health education
- Monthly benefits for nutritious food
How is Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program Funded ?
Who is Eligible for Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program ?
- Infants and children from birth to age 5.
- Parents, step-parents, guardians, and foster parents of infants and children who are younger than 5.
- Pregnant (during their pregnancy and up to six weeks after birth or at the end of the pregnancy)
- Postpartum (up to six months after the end of the pregnancy)
- Breastfeeding (up until the child turns one)
- Must be a citizen of the state in which they are requesting assistance.
- Should provide evidence of both residency and income.
- Must have a trained health expert do a nutritional risk assessment (physician, nurse, or nutritionist).
- It varies by state and must be at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. A person is deemed qualified if they can show documentation of eligibility for TANF, Medicaid, or Food Stamps.
WIC Income Limits for 2025
Household Size |
Annual Income |
Monthly Income |
Twice-Monthly Income |
Bi-Weekly Income |
Weekly Income |
1 |
$27,861 |
$2,322 |
$1,161 |
$1,072 |
$536 |
2 |
$37,814 |
$3,152 |
$1,576 |
$1,455 |
$728 |
3 |
$47,767 |
$3,981 |
$1,991 |
$1,838 |
$919 |
4 |
$57,720 |
$4,810 |
$2,405 |
$2,220 |
$1,110 |
5 |
$67,673 |
$5,640 |
$2,820 |
$2,603 |
$1,302 |
6 |
$77,626 |
$6,469 |
$3,235 |
$2,986 |
$1,493 |
7 |
$87,579 |
$7,299 |
$3,650 |
$3,369 |
$1,685 |
8 |
$97,532 |
$8,128 |
$4,064 |
$3,752 |
$1,876 |
Each
additional person |
+$9,953 |
+$830 |
+$415 |
+$383 |
+$192 |
Household Size |
Annual Income |
Monthly Income |
Twice-Monthly Income |
Bi-Weekly Income |
Weekly Income |
1 |
$34,799 |
$2,900 |
$1,450 |
$1,339 |
$670 |
2 |
$47,249 |
$3,938 |
$1,969 |
$1,818 |
$909 |
3 |
$59,700 |
$4,975 |
$2,488 |
$2,297 |
$1,149 |
4 |
$72,150 |
$6,013 |
$3,007 |
$2,775 |
$1,388 |
5 |
$84,601 |
$7,051 |
$3,526 |
$3,254 |
$1,627 |
6 |
$97,051 |
$8,088 |
$4,044 |
$3,733 |
$1,867 |
7 |
$109,502 |
$9,126 |
$4,563 |
$4,212 |
$2,106 |
8 |
$121,952 |
$10,163 |
$5,082 |
$4,691 |
$2,346 |
Each
additional person |
+$12,451 |
+$1,038 |
+$519 |
+$479 |
+$240 |
Household Size |
Annual Income |
Monthly Income |
Twice-Monthly Income |
Bi-Weekly Income |
Weekly Income |
1 |
$32,024 |
$2,669 |
$1,335 |
$1,232 |
$616 |
2 |
$43,475 |
$3,623 |
$1,812 |
$1,673 |
$837 |
3 |
$54,927 |
$4,578 |
$2,289 |
$2,113 |
$1,057 |
4 |
$66,378 |
$5,532 |
$2,766 |
$2,553 |
$1,277 |
5 |
$77,830 |
$6,486 |
$3,243 |
$2,994 |
$1,497 |
6 |
$89,281 |
$7,441 |
$3,721 |
$3,434 |
$1,717 |
7 |
$100,733 |
$8,395 |
$4,198 |
$3,875 |
$1,938 |
8 |
$112,184 |
$9,349 |
$4,675 |
$4,315 |
$2,158 |
Each
additional person |
+$11,452 |
+$955 |
+$478 |
+$441 |
+$221 |
Benefits Provided by Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program
What are WIC Approved Foods ?
- Baby food
- Milk
- Peanut butter
- Infant cereal
- Whole grain foods
- 100% fruit juice with vitamin C
- Cheeses
- Dried beans, peas and lentils
- Cereals fortified with iron
- Eggs
- Canned fish (for pregnant and breastfeeding women)
- Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables
- Iron-fortified baby formula (for babies who are not breastfed)
What is eWIC Cards ?
How Much Does WIC Pay Per Month ?
- Children (ages 1-4): $26
- Pregnant and postpartum participants: $47
- Fully and partially breastfeeding participants: $52
- Half jarred infant food fruits and vegetables (64 oz.): $11
- Full jarred infant food fruits and vegetables (128 oz.): $22
How to Apply for Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program (WIC) ?
- Identification document (birth certificate, driver's licence, social security card, or vaccination record).
- Utility bill or receipt, rent or mortgage receipt, or letter with your name and current address as proof of residency.
- Evidence of Income for the Family (paycheck stubs, SNAP eligibility letter, TANF eligibility letter, or a bank statement).
- You can use other documents as well. For additional information, get in touch with the WIC office or the local health department.
- Call (all locations) : 832-393-5427
Automatic WIC Registration
- Medicaid
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as “food stamps”.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), (formerly known as AFDC, or Aid to Families with Dependent Children).
Apply for WIC in your State of Residence
Statement of Non-Discrimination
Call Center WIC
- Call (toll-free) 1-855-262-7670 to reach WIC customers in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, and Long.
- Call 912-289-1810 for WIC clients in Glynn and McIntosh counties.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
- Children and infants can stay on WIC until they turn 5.
- Women who are pregnant receive WIC food benefits until the end of their pregnancy.
- WIC food benefits are provided to mothers who are exclusively or partially nursing up until the child turns one.
- WIC food benefits are provided to mothers who exclusively or primarily breastfeed until their child is 6 months old.
- A monthly benefit to purchase wholesome food.
- Personalized advice and assistance with nutrition.
- Support for breastfeeding, such as private therapy with a mother who has nursed.
- Recommendations for family-friendly services.
- Speak to the WIC agency workers in your area.
- Visit the customer service counter at your store.
- Dial 1-844-540-3013 to reach eWIC Card Customer Service.
- Visit the WIC Connect website.
- Select a WIC-accepting checkout line.
- Declare that you are using an eWIC card to the cashier.
- Prior to other foods, arrange your WIC products.
- Enter your 4-digit PIN once you swipe your eWIC card.
- For non-WIC items, use a different form of payment.
- For your subsequent WIC purchasing trip, save the store receipt and eWIC card.
- The procedures could change from store to store.